Executive Summary
- Matthew Cote sentenced to two life terms for the 2021 double murder of his mother and her boyfriend.
- Defendant also received a 30-year sentence for arson after setting the Limington home on fire.
- Defense plea of not guilty by reason of insanity was rejected by the court.
- Victim impact statements were delivered by family members at the York Judicial Center.
BIDDEFORD, Maine – A Maine man convicted of killing his mother and her boyfriend has been sentenced to life in prison following a hearing at the York Judicial Center.
Matthew Cote, 26, of Limington, received two consecutive life sentences for the murders of Cheryl Cote, 47, and Daniel Perkins, 45. Additionally, the court imposed a 30-year sentence for arson, relating to the fire set at the victims’ home following the homicides. The sentences were handed down on Friday following his conviction.
According to prosecutors, the murders occurred on June 17, 2021, at the residence on Hardscrabble Road shared by the defendant and the victims. Evidence presented at trial established that Cote shot and killed both individuals before setting the house on fire. Law enforcement officials noted that the blaze was reported by a retired firefighter who observed the flames while driving past the property.
During the sentencing proceedings, family members provided victim impact statements. "While I grieve, I do my best to remember the best parts of our time together," stated Hannah Perkins, the daughter of Daniel Perkins, according to court records. Cote also addressed the court directly, stating, "I’m just very sorry, and I apologize to everybody." The judge also ordered Cote to pay $3,348 in restitution.
The defense had previously argued that Cote was not guilty by reason of insanity, a plea entered at the start of the trial last month, but the court found him criminally responsible. Family members and friends urged the court to consider his mental health history during sentencing. It is important to note that the legal process ensures all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, a burden of proof that was met in this case resulting in conviction.
Judicial Finality and Case Context
This sentencing marks the conclusion of a significant criminal proceeding in York County. The imposition of consecutive life sentences underscores the severity with which the judicial system views domestic homicides coupled with the destruction of property. Under Maine law, a life sentence typically means imprisonment for the term of the natural life of the offender, as there is no parole system for state crimes, though executive clemency remains a rare possibility.
